A MEDICAL supply company which almost went bankrupt five years ago is back on the up having won a coveted award for excellence in its field.

Merthyr Tydfil-based Heritage Medical Ltd has been given an Excellence in Supply Award for 2012 in recognition for its bid to reduce unemployment within the NHS.

The accolade was presented on November 23 by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, with whom Medical Heritage has been working closely, and it has already proven influential in establishing the future of the company.

In 2007, Heritage Medical, which specialises in orthopaedic care, almost went under after losing out on a lucrative contract, which would have given owner Lynn Heritage the opportunity to take the company global.

Without anything to fall back on, 12 staff members became three and the company had to move from its base at the Heads of the Valleys Industrial Estate to manage costs.

Mr Heritage said: “When we lost out on the contract in 2007, the only choice we had was to minimise our profits to make sure our customers could afford our service.

“We fell, but we were determined not to go bankrupt and fought so that wouldn’t happen.”

Since then, Heritage Medical has taken the initiative of working with hospitals in a bid to reduce NHS unemployment.

The campaign, which is called Cut Costs Not Jobs, aimed to reduce profits to a “sustainable minimum” so that trust money could be spent on personnel rather than equipment and supplies.

Now, having regained stability, the company has been given a new lifeline with its award drawing attention from other medical companies.

It is also working with Bangor University to develop a new additive for animal bedding called “Equisave”, which could reduce its expenses by 50%.

Mr Heritage continued: “I believe that the wealth of the NHS is within the dedicated teams of nurses, doctors and ancillary workers who make a positive difference in the lives of the individuals who use the NHS.

“It should be the responsibility of all medical suppliers, help hospitals reduce spending, in favour of full employment for staff.

“Since Heritage Medical has worked within these principals, it was found that we has attracted the attention of other medical companies, who want to work with Heritage Medical in shared distribution. It seems as if things are finally going right for us and I am once again optimistic about the future.”